Daniel Teklehaimanot, the MTN Qhubeka rider, took confidence after his good performance at Vuelta last year. He is ready for the 2015 season and he hopes to win more and compete with the best riders. According to Cyclingnews, he would like to race the most prestigious races.

“For myself, I have good confidence about my condition. I think I will do some more WorldTour races but the big race is the Tour de France. It is my dream for a long time and for the Africans, and now there are more Africans coming. I am really excited for that. I think that we can do as well as we did in the Vuelta a España or better than.”

In the MTN Qhubeka roster, there are two other Eritrean: Natnael Berhane and Merhawi Kudus. “I really wanted to be on an African team. I was really happy to be a part of that,” said Teklehaimanot. “They understand everything and I am really grateful of that because, firstly I was back on my bike. I was part of the team and it’s a home team. I am really grateful to them. The team has changed with the riders that have come in but we will be more successful this year.”

His main goal is to be in perfect condition to be selected for the Tour de France: “Now we are three (Eritrean) riders in the team. If I want to be part of the team then I need to be in a good condition. I don’t mind if I am the first Eritrean or second Eritrean, it is no problem for me. I just want to be there and in a good condition,” he explained. “It is really important for everybody and it will be a great feeling to be part of a race like the Tour de France. Everybody will be excited. Hopefully my dream will come true.”